5K run, walk to support Disney trip for Heritage music program

HOMER — A 5K run and walk is helping to send students to Disney World.

The Heritage school district's music program will be sponsoring a 5K run and walk at 9 a.m. March 17. The event starts at 8 a.m. at the Homer Village Park with registration and packet pickup. The race starts at 9 a.m. with the Fun Run immediately following. Awards will be handed out after both races.

The event was suggested by Heritage parents.

"A group of parents suggested it last year when brainstorming fundraising ideas for our Disney trip," said Heritage music director Justin Lee.

Proceeds from the event will be going toward the music department's performance trip to Disney World in June.

"We'll be doing a parade, formal concert, movie music clinic, and working with the University of Central Florida Marching Band while there," Lee said.

Lee said in future years the race will fund scholarships to music camps. Runners can sign up by visiting the race website at http://heritagemusic5k.weebly.com[2]. The site accepts check and credit card payments. Runners can also print and mail the registration form from the website. Entry forms can also be picked up at either Heritage school or requested from a Disney participant.

On the surface, I would tend to agree with you. However, think about what a student gains from the experience.

They get a chance to travel part of the way across the country.They get to work with quality educators at each performance opportunity.

They get to perform for appreciative audiences and represent their school and community in a unique manner.

They have to learn to work within a group with no chance to 'run home to mommy' if something doesn't go their way.

In addition, you'd be surprised how the family vacation has been replaced with keeping the kids entertained w/ technology. So few kids have been out of a 1-2 state region, and it is good for them to see that the world is bigger than their hometown.

I wish we had been given this opportunity when I was a student of the "former" ABL (aka Heritage) from 1983-1987. We had an excellent music director...Karen Taylor but back then our school didn't have an active PTA to help coordinate these fund raisers that are needed to afford a trip/learning experience such as this.

Kuddos to the VERY supportive/hardworking Heritage PTA and parents who work their butts off to be able to let the students enjoy this. It's an event that will stay with them forever.

If any students are reading this...have fun but behave! Your reputation goes beyond you...parents, school, etc.